Centerboard for boats.



No; 645,337. Patented Mar. l3, I900.

' C. J. SMITH.

GENTERBOARD FOR BOATS.

(Application filed Aug, 21, 1899.)

(No Model.)

. a E E UNITED STATES PATENT rrrcn.

CHARLES JAMES SMITH, on MoLLEY, NEW YORK.

CENTERBOARD FOR BOATS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 645,337, dated March 13, 1900.

Application filed August 21, 1899. Serial No. 727,975. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES JAMES SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Holley, in the county of Orleans and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Oenterboards for Boats; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to centerboards for boats and to the kind especially adapted for small boats.

One object of my invention is to provide a removable or detachable centerboard that may be readily put in place and easily detached while the boat is in the water and folded so that it may be conveniently carried or stowed away.

Afurther object of the invention is to brace and reinforce the board, so as to resist the lateral strain upon the same.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side view of the centerboard fastened to the boat, parts being in section. Fig. 2 is a view showing the board detached and folded. Fig. 3 is an enlarged end view of one of the sections of the board, and Fig. 4 shows the sockets and plates that are secured to the bottom of the boat.

Like letters of reference designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings the board consists of two blades-or longitudinal sections A A, hinged at their upper corners at O and having their outer ends curved off or reduced and provided with spring-tongues or metal plates A A, adapted to removably enter sockets M M, fastened to the bottom of the boat. Placed between the inner adjacent edges of the sections and fitting grooves therein is a com paratively-strong spring K, that is compressed when the board is extended, as when in use, so that the spring will, when the sections are free to move, force the meeting or adjacent 5o edges apart and retract or withdraw the ing through an eye .I to the inside of the boat.

In order that the board may be firmly braced and held in place against lateral strain, I provide the sections with braces 13 B,that extend out a considerable distance laterally and bear against the bottom of the boat, and to further support and strengthen the board dowelpins D D are driven a considerable distance into the sections, the protruding ends'of the pins entering holesthrough plates N N. The lower corners of the sections are provided with a protecting and supporting clip G and dowel-pin L. The outer reduced ends will also be provided with stays or rivets E E.

As shown, the sections may be folded so as to be conveniently carried or stowed away.

I wish it understood that I do not limit the scope of my invention to the embodiment shown.

Whatlclaim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A centerboard composed of longitudinal sections hinged together, tongues at their outer ends adapted to removably enter sockets on the boat, a spring adapted to act upon the sections so as to withdraw the tongues from the sockets and thereby detach the board, and means for holding and releasing the sections, substantially as set forth.

2. A. centerboard composed of longitudinal sections hinged together, tongues at their outer ends adapted to removably enter sockets on the boat, a spring interposed between the sections adapted to withdraw the tongues from the sockets, a hook and eye on the sections for locking the same, and means for releasing the hook, substantially as shown and described.

3. A centerboard composed of longitudinal sections hinged together, tongues at their outer ends adapted to removably enter sockets on the boat, a spring adapted to act upon the sections so as to withdraw the tongues from the sockets, means for holding and releasing the sections, the laterally-extending braces 13 B to bear against the bottom of the boat, reinforcing dowel-pins D D, supportingclip G and dowel-pin L at the lower meeting 10 I corners of the sections, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES JAMES SMITH. \Vitnesses:

B. BRUCE ATKINS, SAMUEL W. SMITH. 

